Ohio State Sophomore Playmaker Quietly Drawing National Buzz as the Under-the-Radar Weapon No One Can Afford to Overlook

There are moments in college football when the spotlight swings unexpectedly. Sometimes it shines on five-star freshmen breaking out under stadium lights. Other times, it tracks returning stars chasing Heisman dreams. But occasionally, and perhaps more meaningfully, it drifts toward a player who has earned his stripes away from the hype—a player who, while not heralded nationally just yet, is beginning to command attention in all the right ways.

That’s exactly what’s happening in Columbus, where a rising sophomore for the Ohio State Buckeyes has been named an under-the-radar player to watch this season. The recognition comes not from wishful speculation or inflated praise, but from a growing consensus among coaches, teammates, and analysts: this kid is for real.

The player in question? Sophomore wide receiver Bryson Rodgers. While Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, and Julian Fleming took center stage last season, Rodgers quietly absorbed, learned, and evolved. Now, with a year in Brian Hartline’s elite receiver room under his belt and an offseason that turned heads in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, it’s becoming crystal clear—Rodgers is next in line.

Rodgers, a former four-star recruit out of Zephyrhills, Florida, arrived at Ohio State in 2023 with more potential than polish. That was expected. After all, breaking into a receiver rotation as deep and talented as Ohio State’s is no easy task. But what makes his development compelling is the speed and sharpness with which he’s adjusted to the college game.

Insiders close to the Buckeyes’ program have pointed out Rodgers’ elite footwork, improved burst off the line, and deceptive route-running as standout traits during spring practices and voluntary summer workouts. While he may not have made a statistical splash during his freshman campaign—catching only a handful of passes—Rodgers was a sponge. And now, he’s poised to show what he’s soaked up.

Coaches love his work ethic. Teammates rave about his maturity. And with a new-look offense preparing to launch under transfer quarterback Will Howard and a slightly reshuffled wideout pecking order, Rodgers is in a prime position to turn potential into production.

It’s not just his teammates who are starting to see it. National media outlets have begun name-dropping Rodgers in their preseason previews, with one respected analyst referring to him as “a sleeping giant in the Buckeyes’ arsenal.” That might sound dramatic for a player who’s still learning the ropes at the Power Five level, but anyone who has watched Rodgers run routes during drills or create separation in scrimmages understands the sentiment.

What sets him apart isn’t just raw athleticism. It’s the attention to detail, the patience, and the calculated way he has approached development. Unlike many second-year players itching to jump ahead of the process, Rodgers has trusted the grind.

Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline—widely regarded as one of the best in the nation—has made it no secret that he sees something special in Rodgers. When asked during spring ball about potential breakout players, Hartline casually mentioned Rodgers as someone “you might want to keep an eye on this fall.” Coming from Hartline, that’s not lip service. That’s a flashing neon sign.

Rodgers’ value isn’t just about what he can do in isolation. His emergence allows Ohio State to maintain its signature depth at the receiver position. While Egbuka returned for his senior season and transfers like Jeremiah Smith bring immense talent, it’s the internal development of players like Rodgers that keep the Buckeyes lethal. Teams that key too heavily on Ohio State’s more established names may soon find themselves burned by the sophomore who once flew under the radar.

In many ways, Rodgers is the embodiment of Ohio State’s recruiting success and developmental model. Find the guys with tools, character, and work ethic—then mold them into weapons. From Terry McLaurin to Chris Olave to Garrett Wilson, the Buckeyes have a long lineage of receivers who came in as talented but unheralded and left as household names. Rodgers could be the next chapter.

This fall, he’ll likely begin the year in a rotational role. But with Hartline’s tendency to rotate receivers and the grind of the Big Ten season creating natural opportunities, Rodgers should get his share of snaps. And based on early buzz, don’t be surprised if those reps turn into highlights.

Ohio State’s offense remains one of the most scrutinized units in college football, especially with a new quarterback at the helm and a hungry Michigan team looming on the schedule once again. But amid the high-profile names and the playoff pressure, it’s often the unsung heroes who change games.

Rodgers may not be a secret much longer. The buzz is growing, and opposing defensive coordinators would be wise to add his name to their scouting reports now, before he makes them regret it.

Those close to the team have described his progress as “explosive,” “calculated,” and “dangerous.” He’s been praised for his understanding of timing, his ability to read coverages pre-snap, and his chemistry with both Howard and backup QB Devin Brown. That trust is critical, especially in the Buckeyes’ pass-heavy system where route precision and timing often determine the difference between a touchdown and a turnover.

And make no mistake—Rodgers wants it. You can hear it in his interviews, where he talks less about stats and more about earning respect. You can see it in practice clips, where he sprints every route like it’s third-and-long. You can feel it in the way he’s attacked the weight room, adding muscle and burst that now make him harder to press at the line.

He’s not chasing headlines. He’s chasing growth.

Still, the headlines may find him anyway. With Ohio State expected to contend for a College Football Playoff berth once again, and the Big Ten adding new contenders like USC and Oregon to the fold, there’s going to be plenty of high-stakes football—and plenty of opportunities for Rodgers to announce his presence on a national stage.

The sophomore is on a trajectory that mirrors many former Buckeye greats. That doesn’t guarantee stardom, but it does signal readiness. And in Columbus, being “ready” isn’t just about talent—it’s about timing, trust, and the ability to rise when your name is called.

There’s a storm brewing quietly beneath the glitz of preseason rankings and media projections. It wears No. 10. It runs crisp routes. And it’s about to shake some assumptions about who Ohio State’s most dangerous receivers truly are.

So go ahead and circle his name now. Bryson Rodgers is coming. The Buckeyes know it. The coaches see it. And soon, the rest of the country will, too.